New housing planned on former farm site

Ben O’Connell

An outline application for a new housing development in a rural north Northumberland village has been submitted to the county council.

The bid, by the Northumberland Estates, is for the change of use of land, the demolition of modern agricultural buildings and the construction of 20 dwellings, including three affordable homes, at Lucker Hall farm steading.

A statement submitted with the application explains that the site – previously-developed land containing two large modern farm buildings, hard-standing areas, a former mill pond and other redundant agricultural features – is now vacant.

It adds that the farming activity on the steading site has gradually reduced over the years and is now effectively redundant as of last month.

The site is surrounded by residential development and holiday accommodation at Lucker Hall to the north, the Beau Monde spa and holiday accommodation to the east and by agricultural land to the south and west.

The scheme would feature two four-bedroom houses, 13 three-bedroom properties, two two-bedroom bungalows and three two-bedroom affordable homes.

The developers spoke to Adderstone with Lucker Parish Council last month and members were supportive of permanent homes as opposed to second homes or holiday accommodation and considered a mix of house types would be appropriate. These discussions have led to the two bungalows being included.

The parish council was also supportive of the proposed public open spaces and considered that footpaths in the village would be beneficial.

The applicant’s planning statement concludes: ‘The development of private and affordable housing using previously-developed land within the village of Lucker with its local and surrounding facilities is considered to comply with national planning policy.

‘The site occupies a sustainable location within the settlement boundary and is free of constraints.’